One person killed in crash on Belt Parkway

Three passengers also injured, one of them pregnant

February 28, 2008 5:49:54 PM PST

Eyewitness News

BELT PARKWAY --

The driver of a stolen car speeding from police crashed on the Belt Parkway, killing one person in another vehicle and injuring three others, including a pregnant woman. Authorities say the stolen vehicle, a 1997 Nissan, was evading police on the westbound Belt Parkway when it crashed near 65th Street just before 1:15 a.m.

Police from the 68th Precinct reportedly started following the stolen vehicle in their patrol car when they spotted it on local roads in Bay Ridge. The vehicle's driver got onto the Belt Parkway and sped off, with police losing sight of the vehicle.

Soon after, the driver of the Nissan crashed into another vehicle, also traveling westbound on the Belt Parkway.

Police say a rear passenger of the other vehicle, a man, was pronounced dead at the scene. He may have been ejected onto the highway. The 22-year-old driver and two women, both 26 years old, were injured.

All three were taken to Lutheran Medical Center in stable condition. One of the women said she was pregnant, hospital officials say.

Authorities say the driver and passenger in the Nissan, both 30 years old, were taken into custody and charges are pending. One was transported to Maimonides Medical Center in stable condition, while the other was being questioned at a nearby precinct.

According to police both men have extensive criminal records. The car they were in was reported stolen.

The crash and ensuing investigation closed the westbound Belt Parkway for hours.